Press brake with bump and form tooling.

[thehomeengineer]

Hi All

I decided to make a press brake to help bend, fold and form sheet metal parts for my Foden Steam Wagon and any other jobs that need forming in the future.

Initially in my head it started as a quick and simple build, trying to utilise materials that I had already around the shop. The further I got into the thought process I realised this was not going to be the case. If I was going to future proof the design and have something I would be happy with and do all the things I wanted. I didn’t have all the materials I needed. A couple of hundred pounds later, delivery of the parts and stock needed to get started.

The basic frame of the machine is standard like most other builds, with a base plate, two guide shafts and a bridge piece to hold the press tooling. The tooling is 1/2” plate different widths. Also a few form tools for larger radius’s which also double up as a bump tool for extra large radius’s and shapes.

As it is difficult to use a standard hydraulic press when bumping a large radius as the same depth/pressure is needed to be applied for a consistent form two adjustable stops were made to control the travel of the ram.

The other additional part is an adjustable back stop which I will do a separate post on.

The photos below show the completed brake press and it being used.

Brake press with different tooling

Adjustable bump stop to set constant depth of bump tool.

Bump tool used to form an oval to round funnel shape.

Bump tooling and form tooling

Form tooling creating oval shape.

Completed safety valve cover.

Both form tooling and bumping tool was used to create this part of the Foden water tank.

As sheet metal isn’t my strongest discipline this has improved my skill level in forming sheet metal. I am so happy with the result of this tool and hope you have found it of interest. I haven’t tried bending 90 degree folds yet but I am sure the tool will cope.

Again thank you for viewing
The Home Engineer